The awkward atmosphere nearly filled the tiny room to the brim. If time could rewind fifteen minutes, Qu Xiangxiang would never have been foolish enough to push open Mu Hanzhang’s door.
By now, Mu Hanzhang had already cast a spell to light up the cramped space.
Inside, the two of them sat facing opposite directions—one with flushed cheeks and simmering anger, the other with a face dark as iron, cold and unreadable. Neither was willing to speak first.
“…You can’t blame me,” Qu Xiangxiang finally broke the silence, determined to seize the high ground. “You were the one acting indecent! Just because I said I liked you doesn’t mean you can take advantage of me like that.”
For the first time in his life, Mu Hanzhang felt so stifled he wanted to cough up blood. The miasma from the demon puppets in Ancient Wood Grounds was vicious, its poison strong enough to cloud the mind. If Qu Xiangxiang hadn’t barged in, he would have fully purged it within half an incense stick’s time. And yet she had the gall to blame him?
“You were the one who broke into my room,” Mu Hanzhang growled, pausing to catch his breath, his face growing darker. “And now you blame me?”
Qu Xiangxiang pouted. “I knocked so many times, but you ignored me.” Her voice rose, indignant. “And even if I did come in, does that mean you—you can just do *that* to me?” She jabbed a finger at the bite mark on her neck. “You made me bleed. It hurts!”
Mu Hanzhang snarled through clenched teeth: “…Stop saying such ridiculous things!”
Another suffocating silence fell.
Qu Xiangxiang wrinkled her nose, sneaking a glance at his back radiating cold fury. Uneasy, she recalled the blow she had dealt him earlier—ten parts strength, no mercy. She bit her lip. That place was said to be terribly fragile. Could it be that thanks to her, Mu Hanzhang had just become the first eunuch male lead in cultivation novels?
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
If so, wouldn’t this Mary Sue cultivation story turn into an inspirational tragedy?
“Maybe…” she ventured cautiously, “we should call a doctor?”
Mu Hanzhang’s expression was ice-cold. Right now, he desperately needed to calm down. In his entire life, he had never felt pain like this.
Qu Xiangxiang awkwardly turned, poked his shoulder with a slender finger, and muttered, “Ignoring an injury is bad for you.”
Mu Hanzhang’s face was stormy. Heaven only knew how much willpower it took to stop himself from drawing his sword. He sat motionless, silent.
Qu Xiangxiang thought he’d been stunned senseless by pain. Guilt pricked her, and she nervously circled around to stand before him, peeking down at the place she had struck—the unspeakable spot.
Mu Hanzhang: “…”
His lips parted and closed several times, the tips of his ears betraying a faint blush. He growled in a low, furious voice: “Are you insane?”
Qu Xiangxiang’s gaze held six parts pity, three parts guilt, and one part worry for his future. “This isn’t a small matter. What if it affects your ability to marry and have children later…”
Then she’d be far too sorry for Ruan Qingtao.
Mu Hanzhang’s slightly upturned eyes trembled faintly, even the delicate wings of his nose flaring unnaturally, a little too fast. He laughed in fury, slow and deliberate, then rose to his feet. Gripping Qu Xiangxiang’s chin, he forced her face upward. “Look into my eyes.”
Qu Xiangxiang: “?”
What was happening?
The plot had suddenly turned into a domineering CEO drama.
“I hate being toyed with,” his gaze was dark and fathomless. “Qu Xiangxiang, what exactly are you trying to do?”
She blinked. Did he truly become enraged because she had struck him earlier?
“I’ve told you many times—don’t meddle in my affairs.”
After a moment’s thought, she realized he must be referring to what had happened in Ancient Wood Grounds. He meant she shouldn’t have gone looking for him. What a clumsy change of topic.
Qu Xiangxiang stiffened her back, swallowing hard. “Your affairs aren’t trivial to me.”
“If you think your little tricks can fool me,” his eyes narrowed, “you’re far too naïve.”
Her heart clenched, icy dread crawling up her spine. Yet when she looked into his jet-black eyes, she was startled to find they lacked the “deep hatred” described in the original novel.
Relieved, she forced a sincere smile. “I like you. Whatever secrets you don’t want others to know, I won’t breathe a word.”
“Why should I believe you?”
Because I’m your father! Even your father wouldn’t spoil you this much!
Qu Xiangxiang nearly blurted it out, but her survival instinct clamped her mouth shut. Her round apricot eyes blinked innocently, trying to melt his cold, unyielding heart.
But Mu Hanzhang, the hopelessly straight-laced man, completely missed her subtle intent. “Your gaze is disgusting,” he said flatly.
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
Sorry, I failed to disgust you to death.
Without warning, Mu Hanzhang cast a spell that locked her neck in place. Qu Xiangxiang’s thoughts drained away, leaving her staring helplessly into his eyes. She watched in shock as his pupils reddened and contracted. Gazing into those phoenix eyes, she felt her soul being drawn out of her body, drifting far, far away—like a tiny boat on a vast ocean, or a cloud floating across an endless sky. A faint sting shot down from the crown of her head. Her eyes twitched, and she managed to regain a shred of control. She slapped her own cheeks. That sensation of losing her soul was unbearable—like sleep paralysis.
“What did you do to me?” she demanded.
“A small silencing spell,” Mu Hanzhang replied with a soft smile. “It will keep your lips sealed. And if you dare harbor even a single improper thought…” His voice stretched dangerously, “…I’ll know.”
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
Was this really not revenge? Still, she thought, it was fortunate—at least it wasn’t her life he was after.
As if reading her mind, Mu Hanzhang idly stroked his sword and added, “If you say anything you shouldn’t, then no matter how far away you are, I can use this charm to strangle loose-tongued people instantly.”
Seeing her face twisted in silent outrage, Mu Hanzhang’s foul mood inexplicably lightened. In truth, the silencing spell had no such lethal power. He only wanted to scare her. And unbelievably—she actually believed him. Honestly, if only she read more books.
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
What a damned pervert.